Meaning of "Moon Above, Sun Below" by Opeth

The lyrics of "Moon Above, Sun Below" delve into various themes and emotions. One of the primary motifs in the song is guilt. The opening lines suggest that the listener, or the subject of the song, is able to sleep unhampered by guilt. However, when morning comes, they "shut down," perhaps alluding to the guilt and remorse that plague them in their wakeful state. This guilt is further depicted as a "devil's breath," a destructive force present on their lips. It can be inferred that this guilt is related to the actions or choices they have made that harm others.

The song then takes a turn towards manipulation and the hunger for power. The subject is depicted as preying on the weaker hearts, seeking out those who are vulnerable and easily influenced. This behavior is driven by a desire for eternity, for control over others, as if they sit on a "lifelong throne of sub-religion." The lyrics highlight the consequences of this manipulation, as those who fall under their influence "will eat from [their] head," suggesting that the subject's thoughts and ideas become the dominant narrative for those they manipulate.

The second half of the song shifts focus to the speaker's personal experiences of sorrow, distance, and grief. They describe themselves as always waiting for someone before they can find comfort in sleep, indicating a reliance on external validation or connection. The lyrics imply that this comfort remains elusive due to the distance between the speaker and the person they long for.

The imagery of drowning in a "river of grief" and the grip surrounding their heart vividly convey the speaker's overwhelming sense of sorrow and the suffocating weight of their emotions. They describe themselves as balancing on the edge of failure, and there is a pervasive sense of hopelessness. The mention of a "winding road taking you nowhere" and the repeated phrase "home is my grave" further reinforces their feelings of despair.

The lyrics also touch on the transient nature of life and the inevitability of death. The mention of the drifting sun, the air being dry, and the locusts waiting imply a stagnancy and decay in the world around the speaker. This, coupled with the repeated phrase "And this can't last, as nothing ever lasts," emphasizes the fleeting and ephemeral quality of existence.

Ultimately, the song conveys a sense of helplessness and the absence of any salvation or relief from the pain and suffering described throughout the lyrics. Voices of despair become a familiar friend, suggesting a deep connection to sorrow and darkness. The lyrics conclude with the repetition of the phrase "Only circles on the water," reinforcing a cyclical nature of suffering and the absence of any meaningful change or resolution.